Nairobi

American  

[nahy-roh-bee] / naɪˈroʊ bi /

noun

1. a city in and the capital of Kenya, in the SW part.

---

Nairobi British  

/ naɪˈrəʊbɪ /

noun

1. the capital of Kenya, in the southwest, at an altitude of 1650 m (5500 ft): founded in 1899; became capital in 1905; commercial and industrial centre; the Nairobi National Park (a game reserve) is nearby. Pop: 2 818 000 (2005 est)

---

Nairobi Cultural  

1. Capital of Kenya and largest city in the country, located in southern Kenya.

---

Discover More

Nairobi is a center for tourist safaris.

It was the capital of British East Africa — Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika, and Zanzibar (see Tanzania) — from 1905 until the colonies became independent in the early 1960s.

Example Sentences

NAIROBI—The Nairobi Orchestra walked on stage for a recent afternoon concert ready to perform a demanding selection of pieces, including Hector Berlioz’s moody 1830 “Symphonie Fantastique.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 5, 2026

Police were taking no chances on Thursday, with a slew of roadblocks shutting off traffic on key roads around Nairobi, and schools and businesses shuttered.

From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026

A statement from Karua's office said she had been detained at the airport, adding that she was expected to return to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Monday but "remains incommunicado".

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

He was among a group of demonstrators who were marching along a road running close to the Nairobi National Park.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

She insisted that he be taken to Nairobi for treatment.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston